Hey everyone! I just upgraded from an iPhone 11 with 128GB to an iPhone 17 Pro with 256GB. I have a 2TB iCloud+ plan, but I've already used up 692GB just for photos. Since I couldn't go for the 1TB storage option for my new phone, I'm looking to keep the new photos separate from my old photo library while still using the same iCloud account. But I'm starting to think this might not be possible.
I've considered a couple of options: 1) downloading my entire 692GB library to a hard drive, although I realize that downloading can be slow since I can only grab 1,000 items at a time, and 2) going through the entire library to delete old files, which seems like a huge hassle after 7 years of unorganized media.
Any helpful tips or workarounds would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
I wish I had those storage issues! I’m stuck with a 64GB phone. 😅
Unfortunately, iCloud is pretty much an all-or-nothing type of deal when it comes to syncing. You can’t keep them separate if you’re using the same account. So you've hit a bit of a roadblock there!
One workaround could be to create a new iCloud account for your new phone and then add yourself as a family member to your main account. Another option is to transfer your 692GB of photos to Google Drive and then clean up your iCloud while starting fresh. That way, you can back up your stuff without the hassle!
Ooooh I'll try both! Thanks so much for the suggestion.
Ah thank you so much! You're a lifesaver! I ended up transferring to my Google Drive since I have 2TB there. This was excellent advice—the Apple Care agent didn't suggest either of your ideas. Super appreciate you!
Darn! Thanks for confirming this!